Oil plummets on economy worries

[FightinTiger71]

Oil plummets on economy worries - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_bi_ge/oil_prices)

An article I saw on Yahoo! Apparently people are using less oil and gas than a few weeks ago so speculators and the oil companies decided to lower oil prices to get people to drive more.

[Bburton86]

And everyone in the Bush camp is pissed.

[azamugg]

And everyone in the Bush camp is pissed.

listen everyone is entitled to be stupid...........but by god, you abuse that privilege

[Tennessee Ted]

May be Exxon will only post a 5 billion dollar profit this quarter instead of 10.7 last quarter. That would be a shame.

[WarEagle73]

And everyone in the Bush camp is pissed.


I understand that Libs seem have this hair-brained notion that G W Bush sits down at his desk in the Oval Office and sets the price of gas for the day. But can you please tell me that if this is true then how do you explain the fact that oil is a commodity that is traded openly on a daily basis all over the world? Also, for those wanting to blame all this on bush and his "buddies", then can you please help me understand how it is that they are the reason we have not increased our refinery capacity since about 1973 (the last time the government actually approved such construction). Also, how does Bush and his buddies make the environmentalists keep up their efforts to make sure we do not explore for or exploit any of the oil reserves we have here in our country? How does Bush and his buddies do all of this especially in light of the fact that Bush is a complete moron according to the Libs!?!? :mellow:

[Tennessee Ted]

I do not blame Bush so much for the price of gas, but I do blame oil companies. I am sorry I am no economic major, so I do not completely understand world economics. What I do understand is that the cost of gas is tapping into my budget. Then I read that at the same time Exxon is posting profits bigger than any company in history. I am sorry, that upsets me. Is there a rational reason for this? Possibly, but I do not care.

[Sabanocchio]

I do not blame Bush so much for the price of gas, but I do blame oil companies. I am sorry I am no economic major, so I do not completely understand world economics. What I do understand is that the cost of gas is tapping into my budget. Then I read that at the same time Exxon is posting profits bigger than any company in history. I am sorry, that upsets me. Is there a rational reason for this? Possibly, but I do not care.

And the oil companies squashing every effort into R&D for alternative fuel sources compounds the problem. In fact the real culprit behind these higher oil prices is the Bush Administration, which, thanks to its massive deficits and tax give-aways to the rich and corporations, to its war spending, and to its failure to combat unprecedented and ever-larger trade deficits, has been causing the dollar to plunge in value.

Oil is a commodity and it is priced in dollars. If dollars decline in value, then the price of oil will rise in inverse proportion.

[sheluvsbama]

People can't afford to drive. This will be another problem in the warmer months ahead when a lot of vacation places depend on motorists to travel to their destinations by car and spend money vacationing. It has a domino effect. We will see what happens...

[WarEagle73]

I do not blame Bush so much for the price of gas, but I do blame oil companies. I am sorry I am no economic major, so I do not completely understand world economics. What I do understand is that the cost of gas is tapping into my budget. Then I read that at the same time Exxon is posting profits bigger than any company in history. I am sorry, that upsets me. Is there a rational reason for this? Possibly, but I do not care.


Yes there is a reason, it's called supply and demand. The demand worldwide for oil has sky rocketed. Between our own growth and that of India & China, the demand for oil has shot through the roof over the last decade. On the supply side we have done nothing for the last 35 years to increase supply. We have not built a single gas refinery in this country since the early 1970. Also, we refuse to explore or exploit the oil reserves we have right here in our on country. There are huge oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska that could help alleviate some of our supply problems but environmentalists have blocked each and evry measure taken. They block the construction of refineries and the procurement of new oil sources. Guess who loves this? The oil companies!! As with any product if you can keep your supply and demand ratio the way is with oil your going to make huge profits. They will never admit to it, but oil companies love environmentalists

[azamugg]

I do not blame Bush so much for the price of gas, but I do blame oil companies. I am sorry I am no economic major, so I do not completely understand world economics. What I do understand is that the cost of gas is tapping into my budget. Then I read that at the same time Exxon is posting profits bigger than any company in history. I am sorry, that upsets me. Is there a rational reason for this? Possibly, but I do not care.

their profits are huge but thats because all their numbers are huge.....they're margin of profit over the last 5 yrs has been less than 10%.....most business's couldnt survive on that and this isnt counting the twenty years where they had negative profit................the goverment makes 4 times as much as the gas companies in taxes, ask them what they are doing with the money

[azamugg]

And the oil companies squashing every effort into R&D for alternative fuel sources compounds the problem. In fact the real culprit behind these higher oil prices is the Bush Administration, which, thanks to its massive deficits and tax give-aways to the rich and corporations, to its war spending, and to its failure to combat unprecedented and ever-larger trade deficits, has been causing the dollar to plunge in value.

Oil is a commodity and it is priced in dollars. If dollars decline in value, then the price of oil will rise in inverse proportion.


yes Oil is a commodity, read up on "commodities" to determine their costs before making another wrong assumption

[Sabanocchio]

[/I]


yes Oil is a commodity, read up on "commodities" to determine their costs before making another wrong assumption

Dude. The whole gist of this thread is that oil prices are going down due to the cuts the feds are making to raise the value of the dollar. It works in inverse as well. I may not be your age, but I'm not stupid either. So I'd appreciate you not attempting to belittle my POV. :peace:

[WarEagle73]

And the oil companies squashing every effort into R&D for alternative fuel sources compounds the problem. In fact the real culprit behind these higher oil prices is the Bush Administration, which, thanks to its massive deficits and tax give-aways to the rich and corporations, to its war spending, and to its failure to combat unprecedented and ever-larger trade deficits, has been causing the dollar to plunge in value.

Oil is a commodity and it is priced in dollars. If dollars decline in value, then the price of oil will rise in inverse proportion.


Actually, you are correct to a degree. Oil is something investors look to when the dollar is weak thus part of the blame for the price of oil is the weak dollar. This is something that President Bush is responsible for. However, the greatest upward pressure on the price of oil is the issue of supply verses demand. that is not Bush's fault. Look to the EPA, Liberal Democrats, and wako environmentalists for that part.

[WarEagle73]

Dude. The whole gist of this thread is that oil prices are going down due to the cuts the feds are making to raise the value of the dollar. It works in inverse as well. I may not be your age, but I'm not stupid either. So I'd appreciate you not attempting to belittle my POV. :peace:


Sorry but on this you are wrong. One of the major contributors to the decline in the value of the dollar on the world markets is the continual interest rate cuts coming from the Fed. Wile these help the markets during the current crisis, it actually helps depress the value of the dollar.

[Sabanocchio]

Actually, you are correct to a degree. Oil is something investors look to when the dollar is weak thus part of the blame for the price of oil is the weak dollar. This is something that President Bush is responsible for. However, the greatest upward pressure on the price of oil is the issue of supply verses demand. that is not Bush's fault. Look to the EPA, Liberal Democrats, and wako environmentalists for that part.

The real answer is renewable energy sources, would you not agree? Drilling more holes in the ground and disrupting more ecosystems is not the answer long-term.

[timNem]

their profits are huge but thats because all their numbers are huge.....they're margin of profit over the last 5 yrs has been less than 10%.....most business's couldnt survive on that and this isnt counting the twenty years where they had negative profit................the goverment makes 4 times as much as the gas companies in taxes, ask them what they are doing with the money
Most cities make more than the gas station on a gallon of gas too

[WarEagle73]

The real answer is renewable energy sources, would you not agree? Drilling more holes in the ground and disrupting more ecosystems is not the answer long-term.


Long term you are correct about oil not being the answer. However, we need something to alleviate the current crisis. The answer is in the short term... we must increase supply by taking advantage of our own natural resources and increasing our refinery capacity. Also, we must make our automobiles more fuel efficient. Second, much of the tax that we pay per gallon needs to be wiped from the books. Long term we need to look for alternatives to refining oil to make gasoline. Coal is one possibility, we have more coal here in the USA than the rest of the world combined. The technology exists to refine coal into gasoline and make it burn cleaner than that we currently use refined form oil. Another natural resource that is plentiful is natural gas. There are already engines in the market that burn natural gas. they are used in city busses and also in many fork-lifts. Wile we do all of this we need to develop the process of swapping our transportation infrastructure over to fuel cell technology for the long term. We must find a workable balance between protecting the environment without committing financial suicide and sliding back into the dark ages.

[Tennessee Ted]

I am a staunch environmentalist, but I do not always agree with their stance on things. I think we should do everything we can to protect our national parks and animals, but sometimes I think they go too far. I do not think drilling in the Arctic would be that devastating if we took steps to limit our impact there. The Arctic is a vast wild area and certainly it would not hurt if we tapped a little bit of oil out of it. I think we could do this without interrupting Caribou migration and disrupting Polar Bears from mating.

[cocky4ever]

This may be a stupid question but how exactly are environmentalist keeping us from building new refineries? Its not like they can override congress. Have there been votes in Washington to build new refineries but the magical environmentalists came in and said the vote didnt matter? Unless you are blaming the lobbyist groups that support environmental causes which have politicians in their pockets...but if thats the case shouldnt you blame the politicians who arent voting to make this happen.

[shk999]

Haha, another political argument, all I have to say is this....I like boobies. (big ones)

[WarEagle73]

This may be a stupid question but how exactly are environmentalist keeping us from building new refineries? Its not like they can override congress. Have there been votes in Washington to build new refineries but the magical environmentalists came in and said the vote didnt matter? Unless you are blaming the lobbyist groups that support environmental causes which have politicians in their pockets...but if thats the case shouldnt you blame the politicians who arent voting to make this happen.


Actually the usual tactic is that environmental groups will pressure the EPA to sue the department of energy or whomever to block any approval of such development. Or the Sierra Club or someone such as that will bring the fedeal suit to the courts themselves. They usually try to go to the 9th. district in California becasue they know it leans the furterest to the left. The problem isn't in the legislative branch. It's the judiciary branch of government that is being used.

[timNem]

This may be a stupid question but how exactly are environmentalist keeping us from building new refineries? Its not like they can override congress. Have there been votes in Washington to build new refineries but the magical environmentalists came in and said the vote didnt matter? Unless you are blaming the lobbyist groups that support environmental causes which have politicians in their pockets...but if thats the case shouldnt you blame the politicians who arent voting to make this happen.
In the early 80s we had over 300 refineries, now we are down to under 150. The reason that new ones aren't being built and the rest shut down is because of the astronomical costs associated with complying to the numerous enviromental regulations which makes it impossible to refit the old ones and too costly to build new ones.

[WarEagle73]

I like you sig there Cocky4ever. Here's an idea I have for one myself.

Only after we have given the last of money to the government in taxes will we realize that you cannot by $hit with squirrels, trees, and fish.

[sheluvsbama]

But if the animals and the trees are gone, so are we. :unsure:

[Sabanocchio]

I like you sig there Cocky4ever. Here's an idea I have for one myself.

Only after we have given the last of money to the government in taxes will we realize that you cannot by $hit with squirrels, trees, and fish.Uh, Nope. You just gayed it up. :joke:

I don't think anyone here is in favor of giving any more money to the government. You're preaching to the choir. But there is a harmonious balance to be had. As of now, we are impacting our planet in new ways that it has never experienced before. We are dominating the planet to the point that it will have an impact down the road, whether you want to believe it or not. Thing is, the effects of what we are doing now will not be felt for another 80-100 years. I love my child enough to want to do something now, before it is too late. Is that so wacky???

[azamugg]

Uh, Nope. You just gayed it up. :joke:

I don't think anyone here is in favor of giving any more money to the government. You're preaching to the choir. But there is a harmonious balance to be had. As of now, we are impacting our planet in new ways that it has never experienced before. We are dominating the planet to the point that it will have an impact down the road, whether you want to believe it or not. Thing is, the effects of what we are doing now will not be felt for another 80-100 years. I love my child enough to want to do something now, before it is too late. Is that so wacky???

not wacky at all......at least now though you can quit bitching about gasoline though

cake=not eating it too

[WarEagle73]

Uh, Nope. You just gayed it up. :joke:

I don't think anyone here is in favor of giving any more money to the government. You're preaching to the choir. But there is a harmonious balance to be had. As of now, we are impacting our planet in new ways that it has never experienced before. We are dominating the planet to the point that it will have an impact down the road, whether you want to believe it or not. Thing is, the effects of what we are doing now will not be felt for another 80-100 years. I love my child enough to want to do something now, before it is too late. Is that so wacky???


Lighten up. I was just joking. I love the squirrels as much as the next guy.

[Sabanocchio]

not wacky at all......at least now though you can quit bitching about gasoline though

cake=not eating it too
I'm not getting what you're saying at all. I'm not bitching about gasoline. I'm bitching because the powers that be have failed in investing in R&D for renewable alternative energy sources which abound.

We could have done this years ago, but lackadaisical leadership and politicians which the oil companies had in their back pocket have prevented it. And if you think otherwise, you are being far beyond naive.

[Sabanocchio]

Lighten up. I was just joking. I love the squirrels as much as the next guy.

It aint about squirrels. Screw the squirrels. It's about my child's future to me, ya know?

[cocky4ever]

I like you sig there Cocky4ever. Here's an idea I have for one myself.

Only after we have given the last of money to the government in taxes will we realize that you cannot by $hit with squirrels, trees, and fish.

We better figure out what we're gonna do without bees before we even start to worry about trees,fish,etc....just to give you one example of how delicate the balance of nature can be.

[WarEagle73]

We better figure out what we're gonna do without bees before we even start to worry about trees,fish,etc....just to give you one example of how delicate the balance of nature can be.


Tell you what, When I'm having lunch with W. later this week I'll tell him to cut back gas by at least a dollar per gallon and to please lay off killing the bees. :thumpsup:

[sheluvsbama]

The destruction of the environment is insidious. The disappearance of the bees is really happening. If you notice the price of honey these days, it will become only too apparent. If the bees are in trouble, pollination is in trouble, and that has very far-reaching effects. It sounds like a tiny thing, but it will balloon into something huge if it keeps on it's present course.

[WarEagle73]

The destruction of the environment is insidious. The disappearance of the bees is really happening. If you notice the price of honey these days, it will become only too apparent. If the bees are in trouble, pollination is in trouble, and that has very far-reaching effects. It sounds like a tiny thing, but it will balloon into something huge if it keeps on it's present course.


I know it's a problem but I must ask, What have we done that is causing the bees to disappear? The last I heard on this matter is that scientists don't have the foggiest idea what is the casue.

[Sabanocchio]

I know it's a problem but I must ask, What have we done that is causing the bees to disappear? The last I heard on this matter is that scientists don't have the foggiest idea what is the casue.

Theories include environmental change-related stresses,[5] malnutrition, pathogens (i.e., disease[6] including Israel acute paralysis virus[7][8]), mites, pesticides such as neonicotinoids or imidacloprid, radiation from cellular phones or other man-made devices,[9] and genetically modified (GM) crops with pest control characteristics such as transgenic maize.

I think it is safe to say that we, in some way, are impacting the situation. Regardless of how, it has to be us. We are the variable.

[sheluvsbama]

I think it could be indiscriminate spraying, but nobody really knows. It is a little scary to see different species disappearing everyday. Who knows how long it will be til we join them? I wish they could figure out how to stop this downward spiral.

[WarEagle73]

I think it is safe to say that we, in some way, are impacting the situation. Regardless of how, it has to be us. We are the variable.


Not so fast there. I can copy and paste as well.

The exact mechanisms of CCD are still unknown. One report indicates a strong but possibly non-causal association between the syndrome and the presence of the Israel acute paralysis virus.[8] Other factors may also be involved, however, and several have been proposed as causative agents; malnutrition, pesticides, pathogens, immunodeficiencies, mites, fungus, genetically modified (GM) crops, beekeeping practices (such as the use of antibiotics, or long-distance transportation of beehives) and electromagnetic radiation. Whether any single factor is responsible, or a combination of factors (acting independently in different areas affected by CCD, or acting in tandem), is still unknown. It is likewise still uncertain whether CCD is a genuinely new phenomenon, as opposed to a known phenomenon that previously only had a minor impact.


JR Minkel. "Mysterious Honeybee Disappearance Linked to Rare Virus", Science News, Scientific American, 2007-09-07. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.



In other words we know next to nothing about this. What exactly do you want us to do to fix a problem that we do not have any idea what it's root cause might be? We need to stop just blaming every problem on "man made" this or that and start looking at real science before going off half-cocked at a problem.

[GeauxTo]

The real answer is renewable energy sources, would you not agree? Drilling more holes in the ground and disrupting more ecosystems is not the answer long-term.

Drilling has really become sophisticated and environmentally friendly. Living in a state where there has always been abundant drilling, both onshore and off, I can attest to the fact that the environment has been pretty much unaffected during the modern drilling era (1970s on). Prior to that it was messy for sure. But our rig operators are clean and efficient today. Unfortunately, they are not allowed to drill much, or the return on the dollar for exploratory drilling is insufficient.

Here's a reason the environmentalists should back away, especially in the Gulf of Mexico off of Florida and in the Caribbean between Florida and Cuba. The Chinese are going to start to drill there with the blessings of Cuba and Venezuela. And, while American drillers can put a drill bit up your toilet with precision, the Chinese technology lags way behind. The chances for them to impact the environment is almost guaranteed.

[azamugg]

you mean China wouldnt be worried about what we or the rest of the world thought of this?

[timNem]

Drilling has really become sophisticated and environmentally friendly. Living in a state where there has always been abundant drilling, both onshore and off, I can attest to the fact that the environment has been pretty much unaffected during the modern drilling era (1970s on). Prior to that it was messy for sure. But our rig operators are clean and efficient today. Unfortunately, they are not allowed to drill much, or the return on the dollar for exploratory drilling is insufficient.

Here's a reason the environmentalists should back away, especially in the Gulf of Mexico off of Florida and in the Caribbean between Florida and Cuba. The Chinese are going to start to drill there with the blessings of Cuba and Venezuela. And, while American drillers can put a drill bit up your toilet with precision, the Chinese technology lags way behind. The chances for them to impact the environment is almost guaranteed.

Hey Geaux, why is that the Chinese will be drilling off of our shores and who do we owe our regards to for that?

[Sabanocchio]

Not so fast there. I can copy and paste as well.

The exact mechanisms of CCD are still unknown. One report indicates a strong but possibly non-causal association between the syndrome and the presence of the Israel acute paralysis virus.[8] Other factors may also be involved, however, and several have been proposed as causative agents; malnutrition, pesticides, pathogens, immunodeficiencies, mites, fungus, genetically modified (GM) crops, beekeeping practices (such as the use of antibiotics, or long-distance transportation of beehives) and electromagnetic radiation. Whether any single factor is responsible, or a combination of factors (acting independently in different areas affected by CCD, or acting in tandem), is still unknown. It is likewise still uncertain whether CCD is a genuinely new phenomenon, as opposed to a known phenomenon that previously only had a minor impact.


JR Minkel. "Mysterious Honeybee Disappearance Linked to Rare Virus", Science News, Scientific American, 2007-09-07. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.



In other words we know next to nothing about this. What exactly do you want us to do to fix a problem that we do not have any idea what it's root cause might be? We need to stop just blaming every problem on "man made" this or that and start looking at real science before going off half-cocked at a problem.Oh, so the bees have been fine for thousands of years (at least) ans suddenly they disappear as we are pumping more and more pollutants into the atmosphere, but because they know so little, you say that the reason could possibly not be man-made? Come on, friend, surely you don't really believe that.

[timNem]

Oh, so the bees have been fine for thousands of years (at least) ans suddenly they disappear as we are pumping more and more pollutants into the atmosphere, but because they know so little, you say that the reason could possibly not be man-made? Come on, friend, surely you don't really believe that.
maybe too many of the bees turned gay and no longer reproduce at the rate they once did. :unsure: :ohmy:

[azamugg]

Oh, so the bees have been fine for thousands of years (at least) ans suddenly they disappear as we are pumping more and more pollutants into the atmosphere, but because they know so little, you say that the reason could possibly not be man-made? Come on, friend, surely you don't really believe that.


millions of species of insects, reptiles and mammals became instinct before man ever existed........you do know that right?

[GeauxTo]

Hey Geaux, why is that the Chinese will be drilling off of our shores and who do we owe our regards to for that?

Currently, countries in South America recognize an offshore limit of 200 nautical miles, which they call an Exclusive Economic Zone. If you want to blame someone in the United States, I would say look at the environmentalists. They would have blocked every attempt for the U. S. to negotiate drilling rights.

As we speak, Chinese drilling equipment is flowing into Cuba to start a massive drilling campaign on Cuba's northern shore (about 90 miles from Key West).
Link: Cuba oil production to increase with more Chinese equipment arriving - Cuba Business News - Havana Journal (http://havanajournal.com/business/entry/cuba_oil_production_to_increase_with_more_chinese_ equipment_arriving/)

[UKat]

But if the animals and the trees are gone, so are we. :unsure:The animals and trees aren't going anywhere....don't buy into the hysteria.

[timNem]

Currently, countries in South America recognize an offshore limit of 200 nautical miles, which they call an Exclusive Economic Zone. If you want to blame someone in the United States, I would say look at the environmentalists. They would have blocked every attempt for the U. S. to negotiate drilling rights.

As we speak, Chinese drilling equipment is flowing into Cuba to start a massive drilling campaign on Cuba's northern shore (about 90 miles from Key West).
Link: Cuba oil production to increase with more Chinese equipment arriving - Cuba Business News - Havana Journal (http://havanajournal.com/business/entry/cuba_oil_production_to_increase_with_more_chinese_ equipment_arriving/)

Well that too, I was pointing toward the Chinese ownership of the Panama Canal and how costly that was to us for Carter to practically give it away.

[Sabanocchio]

millions of species of insects, reptiles and mammals became instinct before man ever existed........you do know that right?

Yes, and there is no sound evidence that they are disappearing at a faster rate due to our impact on the environment, but one can surmise. (surprised to hear you speak the true order of events I must admit...)

[GeauxTo]

Well that too, I was pointing toward the Chinese ownership of the Panama Canal and how costly that was to us for Carter to practically give it away.

You are so right! But that is another story. I'm sure most thinking individuals, regardless of political leanings, realize that Jimmy Carter was the worst of the worst. Giving the Panama Canal away was one of the major faux pauxs in American history and "diplomacy."

[timNem]

You are so right! But that is another story. I'm sure most thinking individuals, regardless of political leanings, realize that Jimmy Carter was the worst of the worst. Giving the Panama Canal away was one of the major faux pauxs in American history and "diplomacy."
Yep, it equals someone sawing off one of their good legs to donate to another guy who has two good legs.

[Tator]

To go along with what GeauxTo has already stated, I would like to point out that drilling in the Gulf of Mexico actually HELPS wildlife. The drilling and production structures provide what amounts to an instant artificial reef. Ask anyone whose fished in the Gulf where some of the best fishing is and you'll here included a myriad of structures dedicated to oil drilling/production.

[GeauxTo]

To go along with what GeauxTo has already stated, I would like to point out that drilling in the Gulf of Mexico actually HELPS wildlife. The drilling and production structures provide what amounts to an instant artificial reef. Ask anyone whose fished in the Gulf where some of the best fishing is and you'll here included a myriad of structures dedicated to oil drilling/production.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k108/GeauxTo/drillingrig.jpg

[cocky4ever]

millions of species of insects, reptiles and mammals became instinct before man ever existed........you do know that right?

What does that have to do with anything? As far as we know Man has killed far more species than any other organism in the history of Earth. We are destroying habitats and polluting the land,water, and air. It is easy to see that as far as the Earth is concerned we are the most harmful for this planet. Hell, its so bad we're sitting here drinking drugs and estrogen in our water because of it. Capitalism is the least efficient system in the world which is evident by the gross amount of waste this country pumps out every day. But I guess thats all good though as long as we can turn a profit in the process. Dont get me wrong, I agree with a lot of the main concepts of capitalism...but the way it is being practiced in this country is doing harm to the world that wont be undone for God knows how long.


And as far as the bees go the last I heard they thought it was a fungus. Did the actions of Man lead to the fungus? We dont know...but I do know that Nature has a built in balancing mechanism. For example over-crowding leads to disease which serves as population control. Natural habitats pretty much keep themselves in check. Man has evolved to the point where He can over-ride a lot of these mechanisms but Nature is still trying to keep up...thats why flu shots are only good for one year. But anyways....before I go on a rant and serve to further steer this thread from the original topic I'll just say that we would do well to learn from the lessons that Nature teaches us all the time. Sad that it seems a lot of people only care to learn lessons of how to further exploit the Earth for our own gains.

[FightinTiger71]

It's interesting that cocky brought up nature balancing itself out. Last year in my sociology class our professor spoke about a model (I forget the guy's name) that human society goes in a rise and crash cycle. The population expands under the environment cannot support it any further and then it crashes and starts over, it's usually famine or disease that causes this. But ever since the invention of medicine and the vast improvements of agriculture, the world has not experienced a widespread population crash since the Bubonic Plague....this brings up the question what and when is going to cause the human population to come back in check? Anyone can see the world is becoming more and more under an intense strain from our resource needs and due to the shear volume of people living on the planet....